While I was working on this column about Memorial Day, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address came to mind. This was something many were required to memorize in grade school.
The Gettysburg Address
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Consider the meaning of these few short sentences...
It is dawn, the stillness of the early morning of this most reverent day is broken only by the flapping of the flags which surround the cemetery. It is Memorial Day. It should be a day of reverence and thought...it should be a time to honor and embrace the lives and memories of those who lived and died, so we might be free. We might even take time to consider whether we would be willing to make that ultimate sacrifice. Do we still consider our freedom worth the price paid by others?
From the very first war in which our country was involved — the War for Independence — war has called our finest young men and women — citizens who were once a part of somebody's family, to defend and serve our country They had mothers and fathers, maybe sisters and brothers, a wife and children. They left their families at home to carry on as best as they could...many times these families endured hardships too hard to bear. They sacrificed their lives and livelihood.
The methods and types of war may have changed in intensity over the years but the human element is no different than it was all those years ago, and the sad truth is that in war, some of the human element will die. We will never know what was lost of their lifetimes.
Sometimes they were able to come back to join their families again, sometimes they weren’t. War left some families no longer complete. Buried in the graves which hold the dead servicemen and women are the people who gave their all for their country.
Those who died in the line of duty left families behind. We can only know some of the things that their passing caused for their families. We will never know what these people who gave their lives serving their country might have contributed to all of our lives had they lived.
History says Memorial Day really started with mothers who went to the site of the graves of Civil War soldiers (often while the war was still on) and decorated the graves of all those from the north and south. There was often no distinction of who the young men belonged to. He was somebody’s child and mothers are mothers. For that reason, it was called Decoration Day — the name which was in common use until after WW II. In the first half of the last century, Decoration Day also often was a time to visit and tend the graves of family members. It wasn’t until 1967 (at the height of the Vietnam War) that the name of the day was changed to Memorial Day, and it didn’t become an official Federal holiday until 1971. Since that time, it has become almost entirely focused on our military losses. I rather liked the concept of Decoration Day — the original meaning of Memorial Day — decorating the graves of our military heroes — but reaffirming our relationship with our ancestors. It serves as a reminder of who they were, who we are, and what is expected of us.
For the past 30 years there has been a ceremony of dropping a wreath in Fountain Lake in Albert Lea in front of the bandstand while the VFW or Legion conducted a ceremony. Dropping a wreath into the lake from an airplane, seaplane, or helicopter paid tribute to those lost in the air, at sea, or on the ground. The ceremony has been attended by hundreds of people. Last year, it was easy to count, as there were only 33 people there, including the color guard. Perhaps it was WW II, people were so tired after two big wars. Perhaps it was Korea, the first of the so-called “undeclared wars.” Perhaps it was the unpopularity of the Vietnam war, a war won on the battlefield but lost in Washington and in the press. Perhaps it was the end of the draft - there used to be a time when almost every man served in the military, and every family knew what that meant.
I have the greatest admiration for those families and individuals who generation after generation have realized the significance of honoring our service personnel, past and present on this day. Memorial Day should be a time of reverence, thought, reflection, as well as a time to remember the lives of those who died for their country.
Memorial Day services don’t just happen — they require work, planning and organization. Give thought and thanks to those who put up flags of honor for those who have served our country and later take them down at the close of the day. To those service organizations, scouts and individuals who honor their fellow Americans; to those who speak and march and play musical instruments in tribute; as well as all those who take this holiday seriously and make it memorable.
If nothing else, honor the National Moment of Remembrance. A resolution was passed back in the year 2000, which asks that at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day all Americans, voluntarily and informally, observe a moment of remembrance and respect by pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence.
Embrace this day. There is so much meaning there. Stretch your arms wide and soak up the energy there before you and then bow your head and say a silent prayer for all our servicemen and women, both the dead and the living.
Wars are wars, and though battles have changed in intensity one fact is still the same — unless you have been there you can not possibly know war. War takes a part out of the lives of those who serve. It has been said that the families of those in the military have joined the effort as well.
We are so very thankful that servicemen now have a chance to keep in touch with their families back home because of technology and a big improvement in communications — but speaking via Skype will never be the same as a touch, an embrace, or just spending time with someone missing from our lives.
For those who came back home there were adjustments, sometimes too hard to make. Taking time from their livelihood changed the focus of their life and that of their family. Children were often left for grandparents, relatives and even strangers to raise the best they knew how. There were those whose life changed because of loss of limb, eyesight and ability and there were those who gave their life for their country.
One veteran told me the nicest thing you can do is respect our flag. Stand and put your hand over your heart. Veterans now have the option of saluting. Look for them in a crowd and think God Bless America! Better yet, if you feel so inclined, say it out loud! Thank you.
Go to a parade, a sporting event, or anything patriotic, and people rarely pay attention any more to the flag. It is not that hard. When the flag passes by, stand at attention, take off your hat, put your hand over your heart (veterans have the option of saluting — note how few there are any more) and continue to do so until it has passed by.
Memorial Day is a day to remember all those who gave their lives defending our country. Give thanks to all of our servicemen and women, both past and present, who helped to make this country that we love a great one.
When was the last time your family took the time to attend a Memorial Day service or to visit the gravesite of a family member? Resolve to do it this year - it won't take long - your family may learn something- and you'll feel good about doing it- you'll be "connected" with those who have made your own life easier. Your children will learn a lesson from your actions. They will know you are patriotic, thankful, and love your country. It is something I’ve learned from my own parents, and it is one of the most lasting things they have taught me.
Memorial Day Services — The Ellendale-Geneva Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8941 and the American Legion Post 286 of Ellendale will hold Memorial Day services on Monday, May 28th.
Services will be held at Litomysal at 8:30 a.m.; St.Aidens at Bath at 9:15 a.m.; Geneva at 10:15; and Ellendale at 11:15.
Well-known speaker Al Batt will be providing the address at the area cemeteries and the NRHEG band will provide music at the programs.
All veterans are asked to fall out at the Ellendale Community Center at 8 a.m. on Monday morning.
God Bless America!
Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family or school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements. In order to read about these important things we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. If you have news please contact me via e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.
Birthdays and anniversaries:
• Thursday, May 24th: David Christensen, Merlyn Swearingen, Marlyn Swearingen, Nina Widlund, Reta Draayer
• Friday, May 25th: Dakota Matthew Kath, his 7th: Riley Dean Disher, his 5th; Jack Harpel, Jackie Johnson Miller, Jim Pichner, Cara Christensen, Valerie Peterson, Richard Fetterly, Bill Nechanicky, Rick Miller, Deb Parks, Paul Reese, Troy & Kelly Utpadel, Dave & Barbara Van Gorkom
• Saturday, May 26th: Jeff Wayne, Roger Wangsness, Natalie Hanson, Jim Cummins, Jennifer Beaber, Jeremy Beaber, Melissa Redmon, Karey (Kalakian) & Chris Shearman
• Sunday, May 27th: Eileen Bergland, Lisa Hanson, Steve Jepson, Shane Callahan, Stacy Wobschall, Rev. Beaber, Theresa Kasper, Rick Loven, Carolee Broitzman George, Tracy Marcus, Lisa Hanson, Steve Jepson, Michael Butler, Steve & Karen Quam, Megan & Joel Cooper
• Monday, May 28th: Sara Beth Carlson, her 2nd; Lily Lee Olson, her 2nd; Madalyn Kehne, Madison Catherine Knudson, Susan Schmidt, Marie Fowler, Rick & Jenny Loberg, Gerritt & Kathy Molenaar
• Tuesday, May 29th: Brent Peterson, Deb Farr, Odean Otterson, Gene Pederson, Mark Butler, Ross Lein, Colin Quimby, Rod & Sandi Serdahl, John & Susan Oolman, Lily & Jerry Neitzel
• Wednesday, May 30th: Payton Allen Misgen, Daniel Larson, Molly Hanson, Chuck Crabtree, Shirley Nelson, Julie & Toby Oquist
May your special day blossom with many reasons to smile!
